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@kernal 2xBlegh. weird, we have the saaaammmeee zit! they are zit cousins!
Just a quick update guys,
So today i had a very important conference where i was presenting a research poster to a lot of people. For the first time in over 6 months, i wore makeup. And let me tell you, it was like night and day! i couldnt believe how good my skin looks with makeup! i felt really sexy.
Tomorrow i have my first job interview in over 6 years. Im very excited because it would be the perfect job for me! Im gonna do my makeup again, and wear some nice clothes.
Good things are happening 
@faith and Kernel: thanks
Hey everyone, i kicked a@# at my job interview yesterday. Im really glad to have gotten that opportunity.
I'm like stalking my e-mail, and my voice-mail to see if they replied yet, even though its only been a day.
I wore a really nice silk shirt, with trouser shorts, and a cute little blazer. I did my makeup and hair, and i was looking realy cute. 
The good thing is the TANE kept the cysts flat, and all that junk on my face was flat, so i could cover with makeup quite easily. Im really excited, guys.
1. i think the meds are finally working.
2. i could be an employed person quite soon.
haha i totally forgot freaky dreams can be a side effects untill i read over your log!! that explains some things for me, i've had anxiety dreams about drinking too! who would have thought the few stiff drinks i used to enjoy so much on weekends would be come the stuff of nightmares haha. Thats awesome you got your dose upped and you feel its working better! update us soon!
@ eve: Yeah those dreams are so weird, mostly cause you dont have them every night, and they kinda catch you off guard. You know they are accutane induced cause they are so vivid and weird. ha ha its funny that the abstinence from alcohol shows up in your dreams.
DAY 95
Claravis 40 mg
Fish Oil 1g-2g
Calcium + D
Bcomplex
B-12
HEY EVERYBODY!!!!! IM BAAAACCCCKKKK!
Updated: first off an apology to all my buddies out there, i didn't forget all of you, but i had to shut off all outside communication with the world for about 4 weeks.
The first 3 weeks, were finals, job searching, and moving, all boiled down to major stressing and freaking out.
ACNE UPDATE
My acne of course flared up in giant red angry pimples all over my forehed. My cheeks stayed thankfully clear. a little pit of break outs around my lips, and chin. Eczema on arms, chest, and cheeks.
For the past week, i had the flu. I couldn't take my accutane for about 3 days due to upset stomach. Weird though, while i am sick, i always clear up! i mean crystal clear. And then when im all better, i break out. Hummm. i have a theory that this has to do with fasting.
DOCTOR STUFF
Annnnnndddd guess what? my derm finallly upped my dose to 40! and almost the next day, my skin is just clearing up so fast. No IB this time. Looks really good. A few pimples on my chin, and the oldies on my forehead from last week. But nothing too bad.
LIFE IN GENERAL
Lets see, oh yes, I also ended up getting a personal trainer. All together since February, ive lost around 12lbs, and 1 dress size. I have been toning down a lot too, and building lean muscle.
Im back home for the summer. Dont know exactly how i feel about it yet. I don't have any exciting or exotic places to run to this year. I ended up turning down that job because they expected me to work for free. and im apathetic about hunting for another job. Honestly i so burned out from school, i think i need a major break.
IM ACHING for a TAN. but i know ill just burn. GOD i love the SUN! UGH!
And its also been very difficult for me without drinking. It puts a damper on my social life. But i still have fun without alcohol. Just quieter fun.
Yes, you're back! I missed you (however creepy that sounds.)
Did you manage to land a job? Yeah, job hunting SUCKS, especially after a year of school. Just when you think your brain can't get anymore fried.
Yeah, I know how you feel about not going any places "exotic", although sometimes I'll get a sudden urge to go up to the Yukon and then run to Japan, then think about how much that would cost and quickly quash what little impulse I had to do that.
I think that people clear up when they're sick because your body has all those white blood cells fighting infections, and therefore fights off your acne better than usual. Your theory also makes sense. Maybe it's just a bunch of things going on that clears you up when your sick.
Don't try to get a tan! I was outside today for eight hours and my arms are burnt to shit, even though I wore a shitload of sunscreen. The sun is not your friend on accutane!
@ Kernel Yeay! well i'm glad to have the time now to read your posts also! school can be a cruel master.
THank you so much for thinking about that job. Here's the scoop. I DID get the job! But I had to Decline because they contract was very Sketchy regarding PAY. They basically expected me to "volunteer" the majority of my time and pay me only $95.00 per week for about 30 hrs of work. So although, i was very excited that the whole process went well. Im chalking this one up to experience.
Speaking of exotic adventures, well I frequently make poor financial choices to go on some crazy and ill planned adventures in far away lands.
Last summer, I went last minute to Australia and New Zealand. It was totally worth it! totally a once in a lifetime experience. I even took my mum along for the ride. Now being stuck in town after an exhausting year of school. I feel like my hands are tied due to #1 my passport is being renewed and there is a delay with my name change. UGH and #2 some crippling financial woes facing the average college student paying their way through school. #3 the total economic collapse of California has lead to massive rejection for me on the job front, which is OK, i mean im OK with not having a job, but it makes my budget so stinking tight. Otherwise if these 3 things were not the case, Id be writing from a remote internet cafe in Nepal, or Micronesia, of Laos.
For now, Its stinking LA harbor. where SMOG is oppressing my every breath, killing me slowly. Sigh.
DAY 98
Claravis 40 mg
Fish Oil 1g-2g
Calcium + D
Bcomplex
B-12
Hey there pimple poppin princesses and princes!
UPDATE
Skin looking better. had a small IBO due to the recent increase, being sick, and hormonal crap. Skin has calmed down the past 3 days, as im am beginning to stick to a more relaxed attitude, and a more structured routine. I'm trying to eliminate as much stress as possible in my life, but i tend to get bored easily. Its a tough balance to maintain.
Ive got one Crusty Barnacle under my lip, and 2 or 3 small break outs on my left cheek. Acne seems to be receeding YEEESSS! i hope this is a trend which will continue.
RANT
To the receptionist at the 24hr Fitness counter.......F*&^$ you! who the hell made you queen of the fitness world? Snotty B%$^#. Needless to say, due to the rude staff at that particular location, and their constant mismanagement of their exercise equipment, classes, and facilities, I will no longer be a customer! I dont need ice castles and attitude at 0645 in the morning when its a HUGE struggle for me to get to the GYM where i will be TORTURING my body for and hour. Shut the &^%$ Up!!!!!
Needless to say, i switched gyms. Yes i had to fork out some dough, but aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh BLISS! this new gym is CLEAN, not crowded, Polite staff, Clean Locker and Shower rooms, You walk in the door, and you just feel relaxed down to your core. And excited about all their classes they offer. Ive been going every day so far. And that means, It was $$ well spent if i will continue to lose some poundage. High Five! 
ONE WEEK LEFT !!!!
I know ive been gone like all summer, but i really wanted to update all my buddies on this site. And check and see how you all were doing.
LIFE UPDATE
after a summer full of great work-outs, I sadly left the awesome gym, and moved 450 miles away back to school for fall semester 
.
Immediately upon arrival, i was sacked with tons of ridiculous reading assignments, and then in the middle of a huge project, my laptop totally froze! the horror! 
So i went about 2 weeks with no internet, oh and by the way i was flat a$$ broke, and this fiasco delayed my getting online to do my accutane blog. BOOOOOO!
Now im borrowing my mom's mini laptop, its so tiny and cute 
SKIN UPDATE
So anywayyyyysss. Guess What? Yup, Im reaching the end of this epic journey! I didnt want to come online until i had some fantastic improvement, and honestly my skin didn't clear fully until about 3 weeks ago. My doc FINALLY upped my dose to 60mg every other day, and this, i believe did the trick!
ON the DL, I had about 40 left over pills, so i just continued to take 60mg every day for about 2 weeks, and this really cleared my skin up!
Before on 40mg, i still had break outs on my cheek and chin, Like 5 huge white heads clustered around my lower lip. It was sooooo gross, and its worse when you are on accutane because you know how dry and cracked your lips get? Imagine that expanded to a huge, crusty cluster of zits right below your lip! I know! i totally looked like a postergirl for abreva! But since i never had cold sores before, i knew it was just really dry and irritated acne skin. gross either way. SO this kept happening over and over again. I was frustrated and embarrassed and didn't feel like posting until i had something positive to say!
NOW IM completly ACNE FREE!!!! yes! Ever since i went to 60mg, i have seen rapid improvements.
I have 1 week of pills left, and even though i was supposed to be done 2 weeks ago, Im going to take them until they are all gone.
SCAR PROGRESS
I am trying to fade the scars with some cream by DERMA-E. I have used it in the past with great results, but you have to be diligent with it, and with the sunblock.
REPRIEVE
OH how i have missed the SUNSHINE, and my occasional glass of VINO. Or a summer time GIN TOniC with my girlfriends. But it has been worth it to get rid of ACNE forever!
RESULTS WILL BE POSTED through 2 month "recovery" period.
5 DAYS LEFT !
ACNE UPDATE
Since pics, my (.) came by for a visit. I got one tiny insignificant little WH on my nose. I PICKED THAT BOOGER WITH A VENGENCE and it turned into about a dime sized scab! for a week! UGH, My skin is like perfectly clear, and i had to pick? WTF is wrong with me?
Black Heads. there are some INSURGENTS trying to stake their claim on my nose. They are colorless, but hard. Im gonna get them with a porestrip once off my period.
SYMPTOMS
Back Cramps, upper back Soreness, and Foot pain are now a constant part of my life. I will get random cramps on the tops of my feet or in one finger, and it will be sudden, and very painful. Ballet is BRUTAL. Some nights I can barely walk to the bathroom from my bed. Then it goes away after like a day. It feels like being stuck by hot pokers by demons all day long. I also feel very TIRED and very EASILY worn out. BUT ACNE IS GONE!
LIFE
I am a Senior in college, but i went with my roomate to a FroshSoph party on campus. They had Keroke and 3 GIANT JUMPY tents! OMG I freakin LOVE Jumpy tents! So of course, thinking i was the young buck, I threw my shoes off, and proceeded to dive into the nearest tent. I played tag for like 30 seconds, and was immediately tired! But i persevered for my love of jumping and acting like a kindergartener. I even played pugle stick war with a juiced up 18 year old boy. I think I was High from the GIANT pixi stick i made in the crafts room.
School has been very demanding of my time. This year, i am trying to be more Laid Back about it all. Trying not to freak out over every exam and paper. And i have a lot of exams, papers, and projects. Plus working in the hospital (unpaid yeah bay-be!) is exhausting and stressful because you feel like you never know enough, never can become good enough, and all day long is an uphill sprint.
SO its very challenging for me to LET GO of all of that. Who am i competing with? What do i have to proove? I wish to be one of those people who are unswayed by other people's judgement, but its difficult to do in a career where so much is based on perfection.
I hope that armed with CLEAR SKIN, a ton of ANTIDEPRESSANTS, and a CLEAR MIND, I will overcome this last hurdle in my life.
4 DAYS LEFT!!!!!
I am afraid that without masses of acne holding my self esteem in the gutter, i am becoming a very c0cky!
OMG I cant stop FLIRTING with everything that comes by! I mean Gay guys, 90 year old women, goats, rocks. I dont care! Its like all my cuteness is unleashed.
i like totally held up the line at Trader Joes flirting with the checker guy. I also did this at the local fishmonger.
There isint a mirror, scratch that, a shiny surface i pass without stopping dead in my tracks and staring at a different person!
Oh, and photos. Now I JUMP to the FRONT of the photo, and SMILE BIG! with NO MAKEUP. In fact my makeup has been neglected all summer!
IS this ridiculous or what?
4 DAYS LEFT!!!!!
I am afraid that without masses of acne holding my self esteem in the gutter, i am becoming a very c0cky!
OMG I cant stop FLIRTING with everything that comes by! I mean Gay guys, 90 year old women, goats, rocks. I dont care! Its like all my cuteness is unleashed.
i like totally held up the line at Trader Joes flirting with the checker guy. I also did this at the local fishmonger.
There isint a mirror, scratch that, a shiny surface i pass without stopping dead in my tracks and staring at a different person!
Oh, and photos. Now I JUMP to the FRONT of the photo, and SMILE BIG! with NO MAKEUP. In fact my makeup has been neglected all summer!
IS this ridiculous or what?
I have been following your log for ages now. 
I feel so happy for you now you have been cured of this evil plague!
Congratulations and enjoy life.
I hope my Accutane experience works out the same as you...but I have ages to go yet! 
@anonymore Thanks! I hope you have success with this battle also. Win Big!
2 DAYS LEFT!!!!!!
My skin is still looking good. My lips are sooooo chapped and peeling.
I am hoping that post-accutane my skin texture and appearance will improve. I mean without the strain on my liver, it should just look healthier right?
I have dark circles under my eyes, and the hyperpigmentation and scars will be my next battle. Small Potatoes compared to the last 8 years of horrorific acne.
i cant help but look back and feel, why did i wait so darn long to go on accutane? I think i was scared of the side effects, but really they weren't unbearable! Why did i believe all the bad hype and mystacysm surrounding accutane? Its a freaking Miracle Drug!
its the only thing out there guarenteed to get results. Yes, some results for people are better than others. But in my life, I have see such a dramatic change!
before I was so depressed from waking up every morning with a new eruption on my face. And going to work and having people offer me their "advice" was so tough.
Its hard work to find a dermatologist to prescribe accutane to you, especially if in their opinion your case is not "severe". If something SCARS your FACE for the REST of your LIFE its freakin SEVERE!
Its hard to dedicate the time, money, and give up things you may like like alcohol and sun tanning. But to me, 6 months of my life with a little discomfort is worth the results!
People without acne don't understand, they think that its not worth the discomforts of accutane, because for them they get 1 pimple once a year, and it goes away. For us, 1 pimple multiplies into 10, and it NEVER goes away!
Be as educated as possible on acne treatments, make sure your body and life are as healthy as possible. and don't be afraid about anything, Fear kept me from using accutane for 8 years!
But overall, I am very happy with the results. I am looking forward to the next 2 months, to see if the scars will fade. I have even heard of some scars "filling in" on their own post 'tane. I dunno about that, but we will see!
I just caught myself up on your log, and am so thrilled for you!! I am on day 70 and am expected to finish on December 1st (what a fantastic Christmas & New Year gift that will be!!)
Be sure to let us know what post-tane treatments you decide to do - I will definitely need some done as I have shallow scarring and PIH.
Take care and enjoy the beautiful skin!
@Angela. You are getting the best x-mas present ever! how exciting, all of your relatives and friends will be saying how beautiful you are, and thus embarrasing you, but it feels good nonetheless. Hang in there, you have a lot to look forward to in the last few months.
1 DAY LEFT!!!
Here I am looking at my last 2 pills. ....
Got a hella busy full day tomorrow with a pharmacology/drug calculations exam, a skills exam, and a hospital orientation to attend. I probably won't get home until 8pm!
But all throughout the day, i will know that when i get home, There is the last pill. So small, and so insignificant. Its almost become a ritual for me, counting down the days like a kid in school waiting for christmass.
WHat will occupy all that time now that im done? I could take up a new hobby, like rollerderby or catfishing or something.
Ill be glad to not be so sore anymore. Ive felt real drug-down all week and back pain getting intense. Ill be happy when thats all gone and i can stand up straight like the young spry woman i am!
here are some more pics.
FINISHED!!!
Yup Yup! I took my last little brown pill about 1 hour ago! I am sooo happy!
So I ran outta room for pictures on this page. Im thinking about starting a new thread for the post-tane period.
Id like to keep track of the next 2 months, because from what I hear, Its like the BEST you skin ever looked or something like that!
Ive got my last dermo appt in october. lets just say Ill be glad not to get the "contraception" talk once a month any more!
Oh and no more i-pledge. no more tearing out those creepy "no-pregnancy" tags over the pills, so annoying! my friends all made fun of those ridiculous packages the pills came in!
I am going to my first party in 6 months tomorrow night. Im going to drink! Woooo Hooooo!
Ill probably get sloppy drunk on one THIMBLE of alcohol, but i already warned my friend, and she knows i will be ackin a fool!
I wish all of my buddies on acne.com good luck with all of your treatment courses.
Take that ACNE! I KICKED YOUR A$$!
@Jeri: Thanks back at ya! I am happy for you also
@ Faith: You said it! And I love your new profile pic!
@K-P: Sup girl? Yup. Im training for my threshold like its an Olympic Sport! LOL I have to check your page out too!
3 Weeks Post Accutane
Finally, my lips have stopped cracking! Im excited! My skin is not so dry, especially my hands. Eczema cleared up.
So I had about a week or so when my skin was acting really weird. I dunno, but it got Scaly around my sinus area bridge of my nose, chin. The skin was like really thick, and scratchy. Then it kinda fell off. I tried moistureizing, but it felt too heavy, and it didnt really help the scales. I have theories
1)sunburn
2)dehydration
3)alcohol consumption too early leading to hangover and dehydration
I also had a lot of smallish, red bumps under the cheek bones, chin, and between my eyes. They were not zits per say. I was worried it was another b.o. but they kinda never surfaced, and went away after 2 weeks. It could be Eczema, cause tha'ts what it looks like on my skin. Im beginning to really suspect Rosacea. Ill talk to my Dermo about it next month.
Now at 3 weeks, skin is soft, and still clear.
I am searching for a lighter, organic, non-irritating moisturizer. Shea Butter seems too heavy in 100 degree weather!
Giving skin a break from fade cream (on 1 month off 1 month) and using only Zinc Oxide sunblock in the AM. It seems acne scars are fading well.
Looking into some post accutane Ideas for minor/hormonal B.O.s
I'm done with pills and creams.
I have an idea to build my own Blue/Red light therapy system. I'm kinda a science geek.